In early April, the Arizona Game and Fish Department drained a significant portion of Lynx Lake to fix a stuck valve in the dam. Arizona Game and Fish Wildlife Supervisor Dennis Fogle reports the valve repair was not planned. He says the valve is opened several times a year to release water downstream to owners of the water rights.
When the valve became stuck, repairs were made, allowing the valve to be opened. However, they discovered it could not be closed without further repairs. He tells the news because the valve was partially opened, it was unsafe to send a diver to make the repair. It was decided to allow the lake to drain to a level at which the damaged valve could be repaired.
Fogle says while this occurrence was unplanned, Game and Fish took the opportunity to replace other components in an effort to mitigate future events. They also found the air vent was broken and repairs were made. He reports the department spent $87,000 in repairs.
Fogle also says the lake still contains enough water for the effect on wildlife to be minimal, including for fish. The lake will need to be refilled naturally, however, due to the lack of snowfall, the next period with any significant precipitation is the monsoon.